Mark Thomas Voss

US Patent:

7607717, Oct 27, 2009

Filed:

Sep 21, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/533883

Inventors:

Alan L. Browne - Grosse Pointe MI, US
Nancy L. Johnson - Northville MI, US
Kevin B. Rober - Washington MI, US
Mark A. Voss - Richmond MI, US
Tadge J. Juechter - Troy MI, US
Edward D. Moss - Commerce Township MI, US

Assignee:

GM Global Technology Operations, Inc. - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B62D 35/00

US Classification:

2961801

Abstract:

A reversibly deployable spoiler for a vehicle comprises a body and an active material in operative communication with the body. The active material, such as shape memory material, is operative to change at least one attribute in response to an activation signal. The active material can change its shape, dimensions and/or stiffness producing a change in at least one feature of the active spoiler airflow control device such as shape, dimension, location, orientation, and/or stiffness to control vehicle airflow and downforce to better suit changes in driving conditions such as speed, while reducing maintenance and the level of failure modes. An activation device, controller and sensors may be employed to further control the change in at least one feature of the active spoiler airflow control device such as shape, dimension, location, orientation, and/or stiffness. A method for controlling vehicle airflow selectively introduces an activation signal to initiate a change of at least one feature of the device that can be reversed upon discontinuation of the activation signal.

US Patent:

8382192, Feb 26, 2013

Filed:

Oct 14, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/578594

Inventors:

Alan L. Browne - Grosse Pointe MI, US
Nancy L. Johnson - Northville MI, US
Kevin B. Rober - Washington MI, US
Mark A. Voss - Canton MI, US
Tadge J. Juechter - Troy MI, US
Edward D. Moss - Commerce Township MI, US

Assignee:

GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B62D 35/00

US Classification:

2961801

Abstract:

A reversibly deployable spoiler for a vehicle comprises a body and an active material in operative communication with the body. The active material, such as shape memory material, is operative to change at least one attribute in response to an activation signal. The active material can change its shape, dimensions and/or stiffness producing a change in at least one feature of the active spoiler airflow control device such as shape, dimension, location, orientation, and/or stiffness to control vehicle airflow and downforce to better suit changes in driving conditions such as speed, while reducing maintenance and the level of failure modes. An activation device, controller and sensors may be employed to further control the change in at least one feature of the active spoiler airflow control device such as shape, dimension, location, orientation, and/or stiffness. A method for controlling vehicle airflow selectively introduces an activation signal to initiate a change of at least one feature of the device that can be reversed upon discontinuation of the activation signal.

US Patent:

8485588, Jul 16, 2013

Filed:

May 11, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/469241

Inventors:

Mark A. Voss - Richmond MI, US
Paul E. Krajewski - Troy MI, US
Keith S. Snavely - Sterling Heights MI, US
Matthew F. Pawlicki - Williamsville NY, US

Assignee:

GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B62D 25/10

US Classification:

29618704, 29619311, 180 6922, 180 692

Abstract:

A vehicle hood or a panel covering an object includes an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface faces the object and is offset from the object by a basin depth. The outer surface is substantially opposite the inner surface. A local energy absorber is operatively attached to the inner surface or is disposed between the inner surface and the object. The local energy absorber has a singly-connected structure, which includes a first wall portion and a second wall portion. The first wall portion is operatively attached to the inner surface. The singly-connected structure also includes a curved connector portion joining the first wall portion and the second wall portion.

US Patent:

20090214874, Aug 27, 2009

Filed:

Feb 27, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/038377

Inventors:

Mark A. Voss - Richmond MI, US
Mary Sue Acker - Howell MI, US
Stanley A. Iobst - Troy MI, US
Phuong-Anh P. Ngo - Troy MI, US

Assignee:

GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC. - DETROIT MI

International Classification:

C08K 5/34
B32B 27/40
B32B 19/00
B32B 9/04

US Classification:

4284231, 524 92, 428426, 428457, 428688, 4284111, 428447

Abstract:

One exemplary embodiment may include a coating composition including an additive to prevent or hinder at least one of the coating or an underlying substrate from destabilization upon exposure to electromagnetic radiation.

US Patent:

20100332035, Dec 30, 2010

Filed:

Jun 14, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/814841

Inventors:

Xiujie Gao - Troy MI, US
Lei Hao - Troy MI, US
Paul W. Alexander - Ypsilanti MI, US
Alan L. Browne - Grosse Pointe MI, US
Derek L. Patterson - Shelby Township MI, US
Mark A. Voss - Richmond MI, US

Assignee:

GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC. - DETROIT MI

International Classification:

G05B 9/02

US Classification:

700275

Abstract:

A method for executing mechanical overload protection to prevent commanding a control signal to a linear actuator that may mechanically overload the linear actuator when an overload condition of the linear actuator is detected, the linear actuator utilized for controlling a movable element associated with the linear actuator responsive to the control signal, includes monitoring an overload condition based on position change of the movable element associated with the linear actuator during an integration period and excess energy during the integration period, de-energizing the linear actuator when an overload condition has been detected, monitoring an overload retry counter based on the number of cycles the overload condition is detected, comparing the overload retry counter to an overload retry threshold, an reenergizing the linear actuator when the overload retry counter is less than the overload retry threshold and maintaining de-energizing of the linear actuator when the overload retry counter is at least the overload retry threshold.

US Patent:

20130088042, Apr 11, 2013

Filed:

Oct 11, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/270306

Inventors:

Mark A. Voss - Richmond MI, US
Anil A. Masih - Royal Oak MI, US
Carl B. Corman - Farmington Hills MI, US
William C. Bliss - Troy MI, US

Assignee:

GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC - DETROIT MI

International Classification:

B60K 28/14

US Classification:

29618704, 296198

Abstract:

A vehicle structure comprising a body including a wheel house, a fender and an energy absorption member. The fender has an exposed A-side surface and an opposed B-side surface, with the fender including a laterally inner edge extending fore-and-aft that defines a portion of a hood opening, and the B-side surface adjacent to the laterally inner edge spaced from the wheel house in a vertical direction to define a crush gap. The energy absorption member is located in the crush gap between the wheel house and the fender, with the energy absorption member having a fender attachment flange secured to the B-side surface of the fender adjacent to the laterally inner edge, a body attachment flange secured to the wheel house, and an energy absorbing portion extending between the fender attachment flange and the body attachment flange, with the energy absorbing portion being curved in the vertical direction.

US Patent:

20210060882, Mar 4, 2021

Filed:

Aug 29, 2019

Appl. No.:

16/555762

Inventors:

- Detroit MI, US
William R. RODGERS - Bloomfield Township MI, US
Mark A. VOSS - Richmond MI, US
Terrence WATHEN - Sterling Heights MI, US

Assignee:

GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B29D 28/00
B29C 70/30
B29C 35/16
B29C 35/02
B29C 70/34

Abstract:

A method is provided for forming a near-net thermoplastic composite component includes co-spraying a mixture comprising a thermoplastic polymer material and a chopped reinforcing material deposited onto at least one region associated with a tool having a first temperature and defining a near-net component shape. The mixture and adjacent tool is heated to a second temperature while the mixture is on the tool. The first temperature is below the solidification temperature of the thermoplastic polymer material and the second temperature is above the solidification temperature. Then, the mixture is exposed to a negative pressure to promote removal of gases from the mixture and put under compressive force to densify the mixture. The thermoplastic polymer material melts and flows. The tool is cooled to the first temperature and removing the mixture to form the near-net thermoplastic composite component having randomly oriented chopped reinforcement material distributed within a thermoplastic polymer matrix.

US Patent:

20190240723, Aug 8, 2019

Filed:

Feb 5, 2018

Appl. No.:

15/888591

Inventors:

- Detroit MI, US
Bradley J. Blaski - Sterling Heights MI, US
Richard C. Janis - Grosse Pointe Woods MI, US
Mark A. Voss - Richmond MI, US

International Classification:

B21J 15/14
B21J 15/02
B21J 15/28
B32B 37/12
B32B 37/18
B32B 38/00
B32B 7/08
B32B 7/12
B32B 27/08
B32B 27/20
B32B 27/34
B29C 65/00
B29C 65/48
B29C 65/60

Abstract:

A method of rivet bonding a workpiece stack-up that includes one or more polymer composite workpieces, such as carbon fiber composite workpieces, involves several steps. In one step, adhesive is applied to a surface of the workpiece stack-up. In another step, workpieces—including the polymer composite workpiece(s)—are brought together. In yet another step the adhesive is partially or more cured. A rivet is installed through the workpiece stack-up and through the adhesive in another step. The method strengthens the resulting rivet-bonded joint by minimizing or altogether precluding fracture, cracking, and/or delamination thereat.